The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out an eight-count criminal charge against Adeniyi Adeyemi, who was accused of impersonating the head of a purported presidential agency, following an application by the Federal Government to transfer the case to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for a fresh arraignment.
Justice Mohammed Umar terminated the proceedings on Monday after the prosecution said a review of the case had identified jurisdictional issues requiring the matter to be heard by the FCT High Court.
Key Highlights
- Federal High Court in Abuja strikes out the eight-count charge against Adeniyi Adeyemi.
- The Federal Government seeks a fresh arraignment at the FCT High Court.
- Prosecutors cite jurisdictional issues involving alleged forged documents.
- Adeyemi was accused of posing as the Director-General of a purported presidential investment agency.
- The original charges included conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
- Two co-defendants identified in the charge remain at large.
- The striking out of the charge does not amount to an acquittal or a determination of the underlying allegations.
Federal Government Seeks Fresh Arraignment
Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had reviewed the case file initially filed by the Inspector-General of Police.
According to Oyedepo, the review identified jurisdictional issues, particularly concerning documents allegedly forged in connection with the purported agency.
The prosecution argued that the alleged offences involving the documents fell within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court.
Oyedepo informed Justice Umar that a fresh charge had already been filed at the FCT High Court and that the prosecution intended to arraign Adeyemi there.
Defence counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the application. The judge subsequently struck out the charge as requested by the prosecution.
Why the Eight-Count Charge Was Struck Out
The decision followed the Federal Government’s request to discontinue the proceedings at the Federal High Court so that the case could proceed before the court considered appropriate to hear the allegations.
The prosecution’s position was that the jurisdictional issues needed to be addressed before the matter could continue.
The ruling does not determine whether Adeyemi committed the alleged offences. Instead, the case is expected to proceed through a fresh arraignment at the FCT High Court, where the allegations will be considered under the new charge.
Adeyemi Accused of Impersonating Head of Purported Agency
Adeyemi, 38, had been standing trial alongside two co-defendants identified in the original charge as “Femi Surname Unknown” and “Anu Surname Unknown”. Both were reported to remain at large.
The eight-count charge, initially filed by police in November 2025 and later taken over by the Attorney-General’s office, included allegations of conspiracy, forgery of official documents and impersonation.
Among the documents allegedly forged was a purported presidential appointment letter said to bear the signature of Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President.
Adeyemi pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on September 30, 2026, and was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
The allegations remain subject to determination by the court.
Read also:
- Adeniyi Adeyemi Remanded in Kuje Prison Over Alleged Fake Government Agency
- ICPC Uncovers Another Fictitious Agency Operating From SGF Office, Tinubu Orders Arrest
- ICPC Uncovers 2 More Fake Agencies In PFIPC Fraud Probe
Presidency Says Purported Agency Was Not Authorised
The case concerns an organisation described in reports by variations of the name Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The Presidency has previously stated that the purported council was neither established nor authorised by the Federal Government. It also described the claims and documents associated with the organisation as fictitious.
Reports on the case have further alleged that the purported agency obtained office space at the Federal Secretariat and secured budget allocations. These claims form part of the wider questions surrounding the alleged scheme and remain distinct from any findings that may be made by the court.
Case Moves to FCT High Court
With the Federal High Court charge struck out, the prosecution is expected to pursue the matter at the FCT High Court through a fresh arraignment.
The case has attracted attention because of the allegations involving purported government authority, official documents and public-sector processes.
The next stage will depend on proceedings before the FCT High Court, where the prosecution will have to establish its case in accordance with the law.
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